Earlier this month, T-Mobile and ZTE finally announced that they would be launching the long-rumored ZMAX. Of course, we’d known it previously known as “Olympia” or “Z970”. The device features some admirable specs for a mid-range phone, and it looks like it’s on its way to MetroPCS too. A company inventory system shows the device in its list of available options and has it down as the “Z970 Olympia”.

As a reminder, the ZMAX features the following specs:

5.7-inch, 720p LCD display

1.2GHz quad-core processor

LTE bands 2, 4, 7, 12, 17

2GB RAM

16GB storage with option to expand via MicroSD

3,400mAh battery

Android KitKat 4.4

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz)

Wi-Fi calling

Bluetooth 4.0

T-Mobile is selling the device for $252 full retail ($10.50/mo on EIP with $0 down). Which – judging from the specs – is an absolute steal. Yet another example of a mid-range device which should offer a fantastic experience.

We’re yet to see MetroPCS officially announce the device, or its pricing. But it looks as though it is on its way soon.

About Cam Bunton

Cam Bunton, Managing Editor. A film school graduate from the University of Cumbria, UK, Cam's past life was in mobile phone retail. His passion for cell phones got him in to that industry, and then in to this one. A family man with three kids, he somehow manages to balance his work duties with family life and a runaway Twitter addiction. Follow him on twitter: @CamBunton

Why do gigantic phones have such mid grade specs? Like the Mega and T3.

monkeybutts

The selling point is the big screen. Not a lot of people are going to buy these huge phones, so might as well make them as cheap as possible.

Verizonthunder

At least it’s a 5.7 inch, quad core non media tek, 2gb of ram, LTE with band 12 support and 16gb internal storage with a price tag of $252 is a steal. Most mid range phones on T-Mobile are non LTE or even have 2gb of ram.

Bluegrapes

Unless you’re going to be playing really intensive games all the time I don’t think you really need any phones with Snapdragon 800+ processors. You can browse the web, check your emails, play your angry birds/clash of clans and watch 1080p videos just fine on snapdragon 400. I could still do all of these things without any hiccups on my 2 year old LG Motion(But I have to upgrade it because it uses CDMA).
The ZTE probably has better battery life than most of the flagships since it’s screen is only 720p and it has a great battery.

jonathan3579

I just wish MetroPCS would offer more phones. Their selection is horribly small… (And yes, I know full and well about the BYOD option since I’m using it but I’d like to have high-end offerings with insurance.)

S. Ali

You can buy SquareTrade insurance if you buy your phones from eBay.

marcvyrus

The fact that this phone will sell for $249 with 16gb of internal memory, it immediately puts on the same page of the S4 and S5 in Metros lineup because those are the only 2 other phones with that kind of internal storage. All of the other phones have miniscule internal storage and will make this phone a HUGE steal..and possibly my next phone.

Brian Keener

I picked one up first thing this morning. It’s not a terrible device, but the camera is pretty lousy. Otherwise it’s 100% on par with my Moto G’s performance.

marcvyruss

Cane you test and see if towel root works on the device? if it does. then I’ll EASILY pick this up as a no brainer.

Brian Keener

I gave it a shot but it just sat there for about ten minutes and did nothing.

Brian Keener

Actually, I have taken a few example shots and it seems to be quite a bit better camera than the moto G…

Paul

In your opinion, do you think this is a pretty solid device for the money? the UI setup is smooth, fluid, and easy to use? I’m thinking of purchasing 2 for my parents. They’re not super Android savy but love the phones. I don’t want to spend $700+ but I also don’t want to POS phone for them. This one seems enticing on both fronts.

Brian Keener

I haven’t had any complaints yet, except some initial performance issues (probably related to initial app updates and whatnot.) it seems to perform at exactly the same level as my Moto G, which I was perfectly happy with.

The one thing I’m not so sure of is that it’s definitely not a small device. It’s quite the handful, I can’t imagine trying to use it with just one hand. Also, it charges quite slowly.

Also, when i say it performs at exactly the same level, I mean that AnTuTu benchmarks the two devices with less than 5% variation on any of the metrics. CPu, I/O, Graphics, all virtually identical.

Paul

Curse a slow batter charge!! I’m glad to hear it’s performing well. I’ll have to look at one for myself. The size probably won’t be a big deal, they’re older and sould use both hands anyways.

Thanks, man.

Brian Keener

I just noticed the (non-official) charger I was using was a 500ma charger; I switched it to a 1a charger and it’s much happier.

This is great. I love the direction manufactures are going with these well spec’d affordable devices. I could use one of these as a stand in when i sell my note 4 while i wait for the note 5 to be delivered.

Bluegrapes

Seems like a great phone for people who still need to upgrade their LG Motion (Metro’s best value phone at the time of it’s release. Still runs pretty fast two years later!) If I didn’t buy a One Plus One I would probably either get this or the Moto G. I’m not “rich enough” to afford the flagships and I don’t want used phones.

But ZTE, can you stop teasing your American customers with these phones and bring out your real phones. And by “real phones” I mean your Nubia Z7 line. The Nubia Z7 mini has a 1080p 5-inch screen, snapdragon 801, and a mini SD card slot for just $240 in china.

gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_z7_mini-6492.php

gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_z7_max-6491.php

Mike

I wonder it the Metro PCS phones need to be unlocked to work on TMO network. I realize Metro uses the TMO network and wonder if I put my TMO SIM card in a Metro phone if it would work. metro seems to have a cheaper line of phones than TMO.

walkermx

Yes actually thye just work with MetroPCS sim cards, but IIRC they unlock the phone for free after 3 months with them.

Or you can buy the unlock code online some of them are really cheap on ebay…

Tony Whack Jr

I just purchased this ph from T-Mobile at the full price (after tax $270 something). I have to admit, for this to be considered a mid-range device, it performs very well. The processor is good, & handles multi-tasking very well. The display is good, not the best of course, but still good display overall for a mid-range ph. Thanks to the Dolby Sound, music & videos sound great on the device. I haven’t had a chance to really mess with the camera too much yet, but then again, I’m not much of a photo taker. I can honestly say, my only real gripe with this ph is the non-removable battery. You can’t even get to the battery because the ph is sealed shut (think iPhone), so if the battery gets shot, you’re looking at pretty much having to buy a new ph. But for me, that’s a very minor knock because the internal memory & microsd card slot more than make up for that issue. The battery does performs pretty well tho. I’ve been able to get roughly 12 hours with moderate usage (internet, music playing, streaming music & videos, internet, etc) before having to plug in the charger, & even then I could probably squeeze out another hour or so before absolutely having to connect my charger (my last ph, I was lucky to get 6-8 hours with moderate usage) so that’s a plus for me also. Overall, I’m liking this phone pretty good. I still want the Note 4, but I would definitely recommend this ph to anyone looking for a good performing mid-range device at a great price.

ty

I’ve tried towel root it doesn’t work. It keeps on adding all these new tabs without even loading all the way up?

moosemoose

Anyone tried the “poot” method?

moosemoose

SRS one click?

moosemoose

Mtk root method?

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